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“My sister is something of a goofball,” Sage continued. “I dearly love her, don’t get me wrong. I was always the responsible one while Saffron grabbed hold of every experience with both hands and leaped into whatever caught her fancy. For the first time, I wish I could be more like her.”

Their conversation was interrupted when their meals were delivered.

Sage’s seafood Cobb salad was loaded with Dungeness crab and Oregon shrimp in an arrangement that was a work of art. Neither of them seemed eager to dig in, though. It was as if they both needed time to assimilate everything Sage had shared.

After a moment, Sage reached for her fork.

“Sage,” Ethan whispered, “I hardly know what to say.”

“There’s nothing to be said. If there is, it’s on me…I guess I wanted you to know I’m good either way with Mowrey’s decision. The truth is, since Ricky’s been with me, I haven’t given the Hudson account as much time or energy as I normally would. Taking care of Ricky, being there for him, took priority.”

As if he understood the depth of what she’d told him, Ethan reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

They enjoyed their meal and the conversation flowed effortlessly between them.

—

By the time they arrived back at Maria’s house, Sage felt closer to Ethan than she had at any time previously. She knew he was about to kiss her, and she was eager for him to do so, when the front door flew open and Ricky came racing outside.

“Auntie Sage, look! We made popcorn balls and they’re yummy. I saved one for you.”

Sage and Ethan shared a smile as she took Ricky into her arms and hugged him close.

Chapter Fourteen

Snow!

Sage woke, and the first thing she noticed outside her window were thick, fat flakes of snow lazily drifting down from the heavens. It so rarely snowed in Seattle that it was considered either a treat or a curse. A treat because it didn’t happen often, and a curse for those who were forced to navigate the slippery streets.

Because Sage and Ricky had been busy all day Saturday, Sage hadn’t taken notice of the weather forecast. Discovering the falling snow seemed perfect. As perfect and wonderful as her dinner with Ethan had been. Her date with Santa. Something new and bright like the falling snow had bloomed inside her heart.

“Ricky,” she called, as she reached for her robe. “Come look.”

She found him sitting up in bed with his iPad on his lap. He glanced up expectantly.

“It’s snowing,” she told him, unable to hide her delight.

Ricky simply stared at her.

“We don’t get snow that often in Seattle,” she explained, “and it’s December and just perfect.”

“Auntie Sage, it snows a lot in Chicago. It’s not a big deal.”

He was right, of course, and she should know that. Still, it seemed glorious that it would arrive now. Snow was pure and white and so beautiful it took her breath away.

Setting his iPad aside, Ricky climbed out of bed. “Can I have yogurt and granola for breakfast again?”

“Sure thing.” Sage was in a good mood as she made her way to the coffeemaker. With the fresh outlook on life, the purity of the snow was a confirmation of all that she’d shared with Ethan.

Ricky opened the refrigerator and selected his favorite yogurt with real blueberries while she removed the extra-healthy version of granola from the cupboard and set it on the table.

He added the cereal to his yogurt and announced, “This is the good stuff.”

Sage enjoyed how much this five-year-old appreciated the simple things in life like yogurt and granola.

Ricky paused the spoon halfway to his mouth. “I forgot to give you Lisa’s note.” A panicky look came over him.

“Lisa sent a note?” Friday her mind had been in turmoil over meeting Ethan’s family, and she hadn’t thought of asking Ricky about his day.